BULWELL: Ex-cop convicted of child sex attacks dating back to the 1970s

Dispatch Reporter

A former police officer who indecently assaulted a seven-year-old girl in Bulwell in the 1970s while off duty has today been convicted.

Alan Martin (71), of Teesbrook Drive, Wollaton, was convicted of eight counts of indecently assaulting the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, between 1975 and 1978.

He was a uniformed police constable at the time, who had worked at Bulwell, Hucknall and Radford Road police stations.

The jury found Martin guilty after a three-day trial. He will be sentenced on 7th November.

Det Con Neil Beddoe, who investigated the case, said: “Alan Martin was a serving police officer when the allegations were first made about his off duty conduct. An investigation was launched but the victim was so distressed her family did not feel it right to pursue the complaint.

“Due to unrelated matters, Martin was required to resign in 1978.

“In July last year, the victim came forward in her search for justice, which today she has seen. She has shown significant strength to give evidence and talk openly about what happened to them. She was determined to see Martin brought to book for what he did. The abuse has affected her whole life and been in the forefront of her mind. I can only hope this verdict will allow her to begin a new chapter in her life.

“There has been an increase in the number of non-recent cases of sexual abuse being reported to police, where victims rightly want to see justice done. When we receive allegations of serious, or even criminal, breaches of that trust, we take them seriously and conduct a thorough, comprehensive investigation.

“We take a proactive approach in tackling allegations and supporting victims, regardless of who the alleged perpetrator is or how long ago an incident may have happened.”